2021 Ford Bronco
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1985 | 20 |
| 1986 | 27 |
| 1987 | 34 |
| 1988 | 52 |
| 1989 | 84 |
| 1990 | 56 |
| 1991 | 32 |
| 1992 | 37 |
| 1993 | 40 |
| 1994 | 91 |
| 1995 | 94 |
| 1996 | 81 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 2 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2021 | 216 |
| 2022 | 344 |
| 2023 | 211 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2025 | 44 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
31% of complaints: engine — 67 distinct reports on file.
CRASH12% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: suspension — 23 distinct reports on file.
INJURY8% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 18 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: service brakes — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I was pulling into a residential driveway and as soon as the front tires entered the driveway the pre-collision alert warning went off and when I applied the brakes they did nothing.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220628
SAFETY TIMELINE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The cruise control radar module was misaligned during production.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the angle of the cruise control radar module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S52.
Campaign 21V982000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Bronco vehicles. During passenger air bag deployment, an air bag vent could open prematurely and result in an improper deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on November 24, 2021. A second notice announcing the remedy is available was sent on July 8, 2022.
Campaign 21V770000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of Motive Power
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain four-door 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. The passenger-side rear door may be opened from inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the passenger-side child safety locks door child safety lock and latch, and replace them, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2022.
Campaign 22V411000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of motive power due to valve intake failure on Ford Bronco vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with rearview camera systems and 8-inch screen displays. The rearview camera image may still be displayed after a backing event has ended.
Remedy: The SYNC module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 25, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 22V825000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles. The right or left side impact sensors may not be properly secured to the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the side impact sensor attachments and repair, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 22V928000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles built with the 5-Door body style. The first-row seat belt latch plates may be difficult to access from their stowed position.
Remedy: Dealers will add a sliding clip latch stop to the driver and front passenger seat belts, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 14, 2023.
Campaign 23V358000 — check if this car was fixed
Loss of Motive Power
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were previously remedied under recall 22V-825.
Remedy: The SYNC module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 23V165000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners.
Campaign 23V598000 — check if this car was fixed
Low-pressure fuel pump failure
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were repaired incorrectly under recall 22V-825.
Remedy: Dealers will update SYNC module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C14.
Campaign 25V312000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
Campaign 24V635000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
Campaign 25V025000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus,...
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge.
Campaign 25V315000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles equipped with 8-inch SYNC infotainment screens that were previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V165.
Remedy: Dealer will update the SYNC module software ,free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C72.
Campaign 25V888000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Ford Bronco and 2021-2024 Ford Edge vehicles. The Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) may overheat and shutdown, which can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended.
Remedy: The APIM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 26V124000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB5.
Campaign 25V721000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.
Campaign 25V685000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge.
Campaign 25V455000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hard top as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed May 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in November 2026.
Campaign 26V299000 — check if this car was fixed
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Bronco vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission to transfer case joint and replace the transmission and transfer case as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026.
Campaign 26V236000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Ford Bronco — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (67 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (26 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (23 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 25V685000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V455000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V299000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V236000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V982000 (forward collision avoidance) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V770000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V411000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V825000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V928000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V358000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V165000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V598000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V312000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V635000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V025000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V315000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V888000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V124000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V721000 (seats) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2021 Ford Bronco reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Ford Bronco is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford Bronco?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Ford Bronco have?
19 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.